If any
deficiency in the discipline should appear by means of these documents,
in any of the quarterly meetings, remarks follow on the part of the
auditory, and written advices are ordered to be sent, if it should
appear necessary, which are either of a general nature, or particularly
directed to those where the deficiency has been observed.
Another part of the business of the yearly meeting is to ascertain the
amount of the money, called "FRIENDS SUFFERINGS," that is of the money,
or the value of the goods, that have been taken from the Quakers for
[29] tithes and church dues; for the society are principled against the
maintenance of any religious ministry, and of course cannot
conscientiously pay toward the support of the established church. In
consequence of their refusal of payment in the latter case, their goods
are seized by a law-process, and sold to the best bidder. Those, who
have the charge of these executions, behave differently. Some wantonly
take such goods, as will not sell for a quarter of their value, and
others much more than is necessary, and others again kindly select
those, which in the sale will be attended with the least loss. This
amount, arising from this confiscation of their property, is easily
ascertained from the written answers of the deputies.
Pages:
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220